Oct 26: Spent lots of time at Pike Place Market this morning. Fresh fruits and vegetables, florists, chocolate shops, soaps and incense, pashminas, Bavarian meats, a Middle Eastern souk, tiny little restaurants, and of course, lots of coffee places, including the first Starbucks (dating back to 1971). I had a chocolate croissant (with the largest bits of sumptuous chocolate ever) and a tarte aux marions at Le Panier. After roaming around a lot more, I had some oeufs en meurette at Cafe Campagne – delish. Visited the Lisa Harris gallery and left with an original etching by intaglio printmaker Thomas Wood. Took the monorail to the Space Needle and walked along Broad street all the way to the waterfront. Loved the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is right by the water. There weren’t that many people there. A man was reading a book whilst enjoying a view of the waterfront. There were a few more people walking their dogs or running. The air was crisp and it was beginning to get dark. I could see lights coming on inside buildings opposite the waterfront. There are ships and warehouses and traffic lights and then the park, which is lovely. It replicates several ecosystems found in the Northwest. Not only that, it is filled with sculptures that mesh with the park’s natural beauty, sometimes in spectacular ways, other times much more subtly. We are talking about Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder and Richard Serra! This mix of sculpture, fall foliage, piers and ferries, ship terminals and skyscrapers, vast open public spaces in the midst of an urban landscape, create a wonderful sense of adventure. I was thrilled. I owe thanks to Smeeta for sharing her personal list of must-dos in Seattle, and to Nabeeha for teaching me how to navigate public transportation, for creating awesome dinners and for hosting me with such warmth and generosity. I am sold on Seattle 🙂
